Functions of carbohydrates in the body There are two types of carbohydrates: digestible and indigestible. The body provides energy from digestible carbohydrates. Indigestible carbohydrates, known as dietary fiber, do not give energy to the body but positively affect digestion. In short, carbohydrates have three main functions in the body. The compound that we can call the body’s primary fuel is glucose. (For detailed information about…